When trade season got underway in the NBA, Jimmy Butler was among the biggest names to pop up in the rumor mill. Despite multiple teams reportedly having an interest in him, one insider doesn’t expect the six-time All-Star to be moved.
In his Monday column diving into trade intel across the league, Bobby Marks touched on Butler’s situation with the Miami Heat. He cited that the star forward could remain with his current team, but brought up two factors that could result in a trade. Those being that Butler becomes a distraction in the Heat’s locker room or the front office getting offered a deal they cannot turn down.
“As for Butler’s future,” Marks wrote. “There is a growing consensus among the teams I talked to that unless the six-time All-Star becomes a distraction, or the Heat receive a trade offer they cannot turn down, Butler will be on the Heat’s roster once the deadline passes.”
Jimmy Butler, 35, is still capable of being a difference-maker for a contending team in the NBA. This season, he is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. Butler is also fresh off arguably his best performance of the year, erupting for 35 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
As for the Heat, they are in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. Their 13-13 is good for sixth place, though they have sputtered as of late. Butler and company currently find themselves on the wrong end of a three-game losing streak.
Bradley Beal shares his thoughts on Jimmy Butler trade rumors
Among the teams that have been connected to Jimmy Butler in trade rumors is the Phoenix Suns. This caught many by surprise, as they have limited assets after acquiring two All-Star-level players in the past year.
If the Suns were to realistically pull off a deal for Butler, they’d have to part ways with one member of their big three. Seeing that Kevin Durant is playing at a superstar level and Devin Booker is a homegrown talent, Bradley Beal has been dubbed the odd man out.
Over the weekend, Beal was asked his thoughts on the Jimmy Butler trade rumors. He doesn’t pay much attention to it all, as he saw his name thrown around for years with the Washington Wizards.
“The same thing until one of them comes and says something to me and talks to me. It’s just out there,” Beal said. “But I don’t pay attention to that, man. They did that with me for 10 years”
When it comes to Beal being tossed around in rumors, it’s worth noting that the former All-Star still has a no-trade clause in his contract.
